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Commentary

Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a high school art competition for the entire country. The Congressional Art Competition is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent of our nation, as well as in our own congressional district.

The Congressional Art Competition is open to all high school students in the 2nd District. The winner will have his or her artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol alongside the winners from other participating congressional districts. There will also be an opportunity for the winner to travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with me and see where his or her artwork will hang in the Capitol for a full calendar year. Curious where your art will be displayed? Visit my YouTube page and watch the Congressional Art Competition video to learn more: www.youtube.com/c/MarkwayneMullinOK2.

In just a matter of days, Oklahoma will have a new governor, and I will once again - after 28 years - be a private citizen.

I’ve enjoyed my decades of service as a public servant, as a state legislator, lieutenant governor and a member of Congress, especially the past eight years serving as your governor. The best part certainly is meeting the many wonderful Oklahomans across our state and listening to their concerns.

Despite two economic downturns during my time as governor – one underway when I took office and the global energy downturn early in my second term – Oklahoma’s business climate is healthy. We’ve diversified our economy. We’re training and educating our citizens to learn skill sets necessary for jobs today and in the future.

While negotiations to fully fund the government unfortunately remain underway in the Senate, I am pleased to report that lawmakers in both chambers of Congress did recently complete work on bipartisan legislation to improve the federal justice system.

Already signed into law by the president and focused on building safer communities, the FIRST STEP Act ushers in common sense solutions to discourage repeat criminal offenders and ensure fair sentencing.

One of the key reforms included in the comprehensive law is aimed at identifying which federal prisoners might be capable and deserving of a second chance.

Will people remember you after you die? Will anybody even care? How will you be remembered? I can’t recall a more respected, loved and admired human than George H.W. Bush. The love and outpouring of celebrating his life was more than I’ve ever seen. I watched the President Kennedy funeral and recall the national horror and grief associated with his assassination. I remember when Martin Luther King was killed and the outpouring of grief that followed. We can remember these and many dark periods of sadness. President Bush, of course, lived a long life with many opportunities that few people will ever have.

It’s hard to remember a time when the real meaning of Christmas was the same as what the world was celebrating. By and large, Christmas as we know it is about giving and receiving presents,Santa coming to town, and the commercialization that comes along with it.

Somewhere along the way, we lost the true spirit of Christmas. Between giving the perfect gift and getting everything on our list, we forgot the real meaning of Christmas.

Christmas—as it should be—got lost in the noise.

Matthew 1:21 tells us: “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of the Lord Jesus Christ who was born to this earth to save sinners like us.

Merchants around the world depend on the Christmas season each year for 20 to 50 percent of their yearly sales.

The travel industry from airlines to gasoline stations see a nice bump during the holidays. People are going to buy airplane tickets and buy gasoline.

Grocery stores do better during the holidays. People cook more for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year. The alcohol industry does well during holidays. Wine, beer and Bourbon Whiskey all do well normally, and more so during December.

Charities and churches enjoy December. People give more money to the church in December than any other month. People who want to give make sure their gifts are given by Dec. 31. Churches normally have special children’s music programs during the month that increases attendance.

As you noticed, I’m sure, the entire front page was dedicated to the Christmas Spirit, and what most would say “is the reason for the season.”

I bypassed the typical Christmas scripture this year because I felt there was more that needed to be done with the front page message.

During the holiday season many are reminded about the birth of Jesus Christ, and that because of him we have a reason to celebrate during the holiday season. But, this year I felt there is more that we should be reminded of.

Titus 3:4-7 stood out to me while I was searching for a verse, because not only does it remind me of my Savior, but that because of Jesus’ birth, there is hope in the world, and there is hope for me.

George H. W. Bush led an extraordinary life defined by personal decency and public service. Perhaps the greatest member of America’s “Greatest Generation,” he began his service as a Navy combat pilot in the South Pacific during World War II.

Later as our 41st president, he led our country to final victory in the Cold War, won the Gulf War, and departed office leaving America as the world’s only unchallenged superpower.

Over a long life, Bush served the nation in many ways—soldier, congressman, diplomat, CIA director, vice president, president, and presidential envoy.